The February market at Newlyn continues to show resilience despite the seasonal volatility of the Western Approaches. This week’s trading (Feb 9–12) saw a steady flow of tonnage across the quay, with the auction floor bolstered by consistent Hake landings and high demand for top-tier prime whitefish.
Hake Dominates Market Throughput
The week was defined by the sheer volume of Hake, which accounted for approximately 60% of the total market volume. Totaling 22,238kg, the species realized a total value of £75,502. While volume remained high, prices held firm with an average of £3.40/kg, providing a solid foundation for the week’s turnover.
Prime Market and Luxury Species
Demand for high-end "table" fish remains sharp, as evidenced by the premium prices paid for Turbot. Despite lower landing weights, Turbot commanded the week’s top average price of £18.43/kg, generating nearly £19,000 from just over a tonne of fish.
Monkfish also saw a strong showing, securing its position as the second most valuable species of the week. With 3,744kg landed, it brought in £31,014, averaging £8.28/kg. Other high-performing prime species included:
Megrim: 2,130kg landed, realizing £14,643 (£6.87/kg avg).
Dover Sole: Sustained high demand for larger grades, contributing to the overall strength of the prime auction.
Non-Quota and Cephalopod Trends
The trend for Cuttlefish continues, with 1,848kg crossing the scales this week for a total value of £8,555. Combined with consistent landings of Pollack and Plaice, the diversity of the catch ensured that buyers from both the domestic and export sectors remained active on the market.
Meteorological & Tidal Outlook for the Coming Week
The fleet should prepare for a tightening window of operation as we move into the weekend of February 14th.
Weather: A shift from light wintry showers to a more traditional Atlantic "wet and windy" pattern is forecast. Expect consistent rain from Sunday through Tuesday, with westerly winds gusting to 21 mph (Force 5), which may restrict the smaller inshore fleet.
Tides: We are entering a Spring Tide cycle. Port operations should note significant increases in tidal range at Newlyn, with high waters building toward a peak of 5.67m (18.6 ft) by next Friday.
Top Species (by Value)Weight (kg)Total ValueAvg Price (£/kg)
